The Sydney Morning Herald logo

AFL injury ward

Advertisement
Darcy Moore returns to lead Collingwood.

AFL round three teams and expert tips: Big guns back for Pies, besieged Dons blood another debutant

All the teams as they’re announced for round three of the AFL season – plus the experts give their all-important tips.

Latest

Max Rooke and former Cats coach Mark Thompson after the 2009 AFL grand final.

The significant step in ‘billion-dollar’ class action against the AFL, Cats

The landmark action against the AFL, led by a two-time premiership star and which now involves more than 100 players, took a big step forward on Tuesday.

  • Jon Pierik and Peter Ryan
Blow: Christian Petracca hurt his hamstring against Richmond after a brilliant start to the season.

Rule changes have made football faster than ever before. Can the players’ hamstrings handle it?

A surge in hamstring injuries during round two have raised questions about the impact on player availability as game speed increases due to AFL rule changes.

  • Peter Ryan
Izak Rankine.

AFL round two teams and expert tips: Crows, Bulldogs named for Rankine’s return

All the teams as they’re announced for round two of the AFL season – plus the experts give their all-important tips.

g

‘Messiah’ hopes for Wanganeen-Milera ‘not realistic’; Swans blow with Gulden out for months

St Kilda legend Nick Riewoldt has cautioned pundits to temper expectations on Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera. In tough news for the Sydney Swans, Errol Gulden needs surgery on his shoulder and will miss four months of football.

  • Peter Ryan, Jon Pierik, Jonathan Drennan, Scott Spits and Marc McGowan
Essendon young gun Dyson Sharp.

AFL round one teams and expert tips: Bombers name three debutants for ‘Merrett match’ v Hawks

All the teams as they’re announced for round one of the AFL season – plus the experts give their tips for the first full round of footy for 2026.

Advertisement
Anaerobic athletes, such as Collingwood’s Jordan De Goey, will find there’s little time to rest and recover for repeat efforts.

The hidden cost of footy’s new rules, and the players it will hit the most

Opening round has shown us what to expect from the AFL’s new rules. These are the players who will pay the price.

  • Libby Birch
Blues young gun Jagga Smith.

Jagga Smith never had a scan as a junior. His first one in the AFL devastated him

Carlton’s young gun hits the MCG on Thursday for the first time in a Blues guernsey – his club under serious pressure and needing a win over the Tigers.

  • Peter Ryan
Petracca embraces teammate Touk Miller after the Norm Smith medallist’s stunning first game for the Suns.

Petracca doubted he could reproduce his best after ‘life-changing’ injuries. He just proved he can

None of Christian Petracca’s performances last year went near matching his effort against the Cats in opening round on Friday night.

  • Peter Ryan
Jai Newcombe will play in opening round after all.

Hawks skipper Newcombe cleared to play in opening round; Scott backs Bruhn’s return after ‘injustice’

Hawthorn’s midfield has been given a much-needed boost for their weekend blockbuster. Meanwhile, Chris Scott has backed returning utility Tanner Bruhn, whom he said faced an “egregious injustice” last year.

  • Scott Spits, Jon Pierik and Danny Russell